6 Tips for Planning an Amazing Family Photo Scavenger Hunt

maandag 2 september 2013

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota

Looking for something fun to do as a family? These final days of summer and early fall are a perfect time to head outside for some bonding and togetherness, and a scavenger hunt is the perfect activity for all ages.

There are all types of scavenger hunts to be had, but my favorite is the photo scavenger hunt. Everyone loves taking pictures; you can do it anywhere; and the biggest bonus -- you don't have to figure out what to do with all the stuff you collect in a typical scavenger hunt. Win. Win.

Here are some tips for organizing a great one.

1. Gather the Equipment

To start, you'll need cameras, of course. From phone cameras, to regular old digital ones or Polaroids, anything that takes a picture works. Film cameras should be avoided, however, since you won't be able to see the photos right away. Depending on the ages of players and number of cameras available, you may want to break up into teams.

2. Make a list.

From colors, to items beginning with specific letters,  to a list of random items, there are limitless ideas for which to hunt. If you're outside, nature items, various streets signs, or pictures of players in various locations are good ones. If weather doesn't cooperate outdoors, an indoor mall provides all sorts of inspiration.

3. Lay Out the Rules

Make sure everyone knows ahead of time what it takes to win. Whether it's the first person to make it back to a set location with his pictures, or the first one to post theirs to Instagram, or whatever you decide, make sure the rules are clear.

4. Safety First

The quest for the perfect pictures shouldn't get in the way of common sense safety, and remind players that everything should be legal (no trespassing, etc.).

5. Pick a Prize

Whether it's a silly paper crown you make, letting the winner pick where you all go for ice cream afterwards, or a small monetary prize, a little reward at the end can make the competition fun.

6. Capture the Memories

Now that you have all those pictures, you can use them to make a great scrapbook page, collage, or online slide show.

Does your family do scavenger hunts?

Image via alaina buzas/Flickr

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Planning Secret Wedding -- We Have All the Details

woensdag 14 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Ericka Sóuter 9 hours ago

Now that they are settling into parenthood with baby Nori, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West can focus on another big, paparazzi-worthy event -- their wedding. According to Us Weekly, the pair is already planning the big day. We mean that literally. Kanye apparently doesn't know the meaning of the phrase "low-key."

That means Kim's dreams of an "intimate wedding" are over. "Kanye has never been married before and wants a big wedding," a source said. "So Kim is getting used to the idea again." You would think that would be a tough sale considering. Who could forget her splashy 2011 nuptials to basketball player Kris Humphries. The bill was a whopping $10 million and the marriage lasted a lousy 72 days.

But I doubt there is any convincing Kanye to have a small affair. This guy's ego is notoriously too huge for that. The rapper "wants something really cool and big and over-the-top," says a friend. And it's likely to be a destination wedding, like Paris where he has a home.

However, another source added he is more into the whole marriage idea than she is: "He wants to get married more than she does!" Surprised? Us too. You would think Kim would want to make it all legal with the superstar, but I understand her trepidation. This would be her third walk down the aisle. Well, they do say the third time's the charm. Let's hope that's true for Kim's sake. She will never live down that disastrous two-and-a-half-month wedding to Kris, but having a loving, stable union with Kanye will certainly help.

Do you think Kim and Kanye will actually get married?

Image via Splash

Click the "Like" button below if you're Krazy for the Kardashians! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ericka Sóuter

is a veteran pop culture and celeb news writer. That experience boils down to two things: she knows way too much about the Kardashians and she dominates on Trivial Pursuit's arts and entertainment questions.

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An Open Letter to the Parents Planning an All-Boy Superhero Party

dinsdag 13 augustus 2013

AppId is over the quota
AppId is over the quota
by Adriana Velez 12 hours ago

Over the weekend I happened to see a letter to an advice column that nearly made me spit out my Sunday brunch coffee. A 5-year-old girl was invited to a boy's superhero-themed birthday party. And then she was uninvited (unvited?) because of the party's "masculine" theme and invited to a separate party just for girls. The writer was trying to figure out how to explain this to their daughter and also wondering if they should say something to the host because "something about this feels wrong." Yeah, something here feels wrong, but I just can't put my finger on it ... hmm ... oh yes, I've got it: Wow, that's hella sexist.

The social guru responded that the parent shouldn't mention anything to the host. And that's reasonable advice -- I can see how bringing it up would just lead to conflict. But for those of us who are, let's just say, not so afraid of conflict, I give you: An Open Letter to the Parents Who Planned the Boys-Only Superhero Party.

Dear parents,

You have the right to plan whatever kind of birthday party you want, even if it's just boys. I don't really think that's a big deal. It is inconsiderate to invite someone (especially a child) to a party and then rescind that invitation. Even if it was your 5-year-old who informed you that he didn't want girls at his party, it's his parents' role to teach him about how kindness and tolerance translates into polite behavior.

But that's not the biggest issue for me. No, what I'm really concerned about is the sad delusion you've been laboring under that superheroes are somehow exclusively "masculine." I just -- really? Did we grow up on the same planet? Here, let me show you this list.

Wonder WomanBlack WidowZatannaStormPower GirlJean GreyRavenHillary Clinton (Haha, kidding! Sort of.)StarfireBlack CanaryHuntressBat Girl

And if that list seems a little short, it's only because I don't have all afternoon to type out all these names of female superheroes. I think you get my point.

I mention this because I pity anyone who cannot see any place for women and girls in the superhero world. Know who my son's favorite superhero was when he was 3 or 4 years old? Wonder Woman. He kept a Wonder Woman action figure wrapped in his little fist during every waking hour. He was so obsessed, I would buy three or four action figures at a time lest we lose one on the playground. And I was happy to do it, because I was so grateful for the opportunity it afforded to shape his view of women.

When we recognize female superheroes, we are imagining all kinds of possibilities for girls. We are inviting girls to imagine themselves as powerful, fast, strong, magical, yes. But we're also encouraging our sons to recognize those traits in the females around them. The women and girls in my son's life are fierce -- starting with me, hopefully. It's simply short-sighted to close a boy off from seeing females that way. Your son is going to meet some fierce females in his lifetime, and it'll be his loss if he fails to appreciate or even respect that power.

But hey, there's always the sixth birthday party.

Sincerely,

Diana Prince

Do your sons know of any female superheroes?

Image via J D Hancock/Flickr

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Adriana Velez

is a staff writer who dabbles in food, parenting, news, entertainment, molecular biology, and anything else that that pops into her head. She lives with her elementary school-aged son in Brooklyn, land of urban farms and artisan everything.  

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